Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1887-12-10
A Close Cali for Mr.. Washburnc.

The death of the Hon. +. b. wash
bmrne reminds the Washington CORES
pondent of the Philadelphia Ledger of
an incident related by Ward II. La
mon. Col. Lamon was Nh. Lincoln's
travelling companion on his celebrated
journey from Springfield, H., To
Washington, when the president-clect
was on his way to assume the office of
president. The air was full of rumors
of plots for the assassination Of the
president-elect, and in consequence of
Il report that ar attempt would be
made on his life at Baltimore the pro-
gramme arranged for the trip to wash
inoton was suddenly changed. and Mr.
Lincoln, who had gone from Philadel-
phia to Harrisburg. the intention be-
ing to proceed from the latter place
To Baltimore, was brought back to
Philadelphia and placed on the regu-
lar midnight train leaving that city for
the capital. In addition to Col. La
mon, Mr.. Lincoln had as "a body guard
Allan Pinkerton and another detective.
Mi. WaShhurnc was the only man in
Washington who knew that the presi-
dent-elect would arrive at the capital
IN the early morning instead of in the
afternoon, rs was, originally proposed.
The arrival of Mr.. Lincoln mt the capi.
tai is best told in Col. Lannon's own
words.
81 never closed my eyes" said Col.
Lamon, ''during the trip from Phila-
delphia 10 Washington. The story of
the cloak and Scotch cap to disguise
Mr.. Lincoln had no foundation. There
was no attempt at disguise and no oe-
casion for it. We reached Baltimore
at daybreak, and. as the ears were be-
ING examined and made ready for the
transfer through Baltimore from thu.
President street depot to that at Cam
den street, we could hear the remarks
made by the trainmen and those about
the station in reference to the antiei-
patcd arrival of Lincoln during the
afternoon of that day. Mr.. Lincoln
and myself remained in the berth un-
til the train left Baltimore. | did not
know; nor did Mr.. Lincoln expect, Mr..
Washbuine was to meet him at the de-
pot in Washington. Besides, did not
know Mr.. Washburne by sight. On
reaching Washington we left the train
and proceeded with the other passen-
gers toward the large room of tho Bal
timore Il Ohio depot fronting on New
Jersey avenue, intending to pass
through to the street, and taking q car-
riagc drive to the residence of William
III. Seward. When we reached tlsr
waiting room n nan approached MFR.
Lincoln, laid his hand on the shoulder
of the president-clect, and called his
paid ~ attention to what he
said, but in an instant my pistol was
at his head, as was also that of Allan
Pinkerton. Mr.. Lincoln grasped nv
arm and said: Ward, this is Mr..
Washburne. You must be more care
of II friends ! replied: MI.
Washburne should have more sense
than to accoit You in this place in such
Il manner
although aftcrward became we'll
acquainted with Mr.. Washburne, he
never forgave me for this demonstra-
ton. l have often thought of this in
cident, and could never explain To my
self now Mr.. Washburne escaped death
that morning from my pistol or that.
of Allan Pinkerton. Had Mr.. Lincoln
first seen and recognized Mr.. Wash
burne it would not have aroused our
suspicious, but Mr.. Lincoln did no,
see Mr.. Washburne until his hand was
laid on LiDcoln's shoulder and uniji
Mr.. Washburne called his name. II
was a very close call for Mr.. Wash